Abstract

When thinking about automated operations, ports and terminal operators worldwide are investigating new technology to increase the efficiency and throughput of their terminals. Recently, double and triple rail mounted gantry crane solutions have been considered and are already in use or currently implemented. While in a latest configuration, a pair of twin cranes running on the same rails in addition to a large cross-over crane running on its own rails is used, it seems not yet clear to which extent using three cranes in one block or stack is profitable even if cross-over cranes are not considered. This paper investigates the possible productivity increase for a side-loaded block layout when two or three rail mounted gantry cranes are used.